A British Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet, grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala since June 14, is set to be airlifted by a C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft after repair attempts failed, sources confirmed. The $110 million aircraft, part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, made an emergency landing due to low fuel and adverse weather during a maritime exercise with the Indian Navy.

The F-35B, a fifth-generation short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) jet, suffered a hydraulic failure post-landing, prompting multiple unsuccessful repair efforts by British and Lockheed Martin technicians. A 40-member UK engineering team, airlifted earlier with spare parts, could not resolve the issue, leading the Royal Navy to opt for airlifting the jet, a rare move for such an advanced fighter.

The British High Commission noted India’s cooperation, with the Indian Air Force, Navy, and airport authorities providing refueling, clearance, and security support. The Royal Navy declined Air India’s offer to move the jet into a hangar, citing concerns over “protected technologies.”

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Kerala Tourism creatively capitalized on the jet’s extended stay, launching a viral campaign with the tagline, “Kerala, the destination you’ll never want to leave,” sparking memes and global attention. The jet’s prolonged grounding has drawn public interest, with social media buzzing over its “extended vacation.”

The C-17 airlift operation, expected soon, underscores the logistical challenge of retrieving the stranded jet, with no confirmed timeline for its departure.

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